Systems and methods for training people to a modified gait or posture

ABSTRACT

Device for training people to a preferred posture during normal gait comprising of: at least a base for stabilizing at least one rail or post coupled to said base at least one gait regulating component, which will be arranged perpendicularly with respect to said rod or post and parallel to the floor surface, with said gait regulating component provided for defining an obstacle during the normal gait of a user to impose on the latter a predetermined movement of the foot, knee, and hip, facilitating the maintenance of the user&#39;s bust erected in a position of equilibrium, with the consequent lengthening of the pushing leg, the gradual transition of the weight of the user&#39;s body by the supporting foot posterior to that of the advancing leg, and the oscillation of the arm forward opposite to the lower limb that moves, with a final effect of a steady pace.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/939,695 filed Nov. 12, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/080,027 filed Nov. 14, 2014, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of the Invention

The invention generally concerns devices and methods to train people toa preferred posture during walking.

B. Background

The analysis of different persons' gaits reveals a variety of gaits,some of which are due to incorrect postures. The incorrect postures canlead to erroneous small movements during one's gait. If neglected,sometimes these small movements cause permanent damage to the spine andserious alterations to our normal perception of balance. Thus, it isimportant to pay attention to the way one walks.

To maintain proper body position during movement, one has to follow justa few rules that, if neglected, besides causing damage, create swayingand/or jolting gait. It is necessary to try to stay as upright aspossible when walking and correct oneself when one assumes an incorrectposture.

A device to train people to a preferred posture during normal gait canbe beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application offers a solution to the current problemsassociated with incorrect postures and abnormal gaits. Describedembodiments use one or more gait regulating components to train a personto maintain and memorize a preferred posture during one's gait. Someembodiments can define a path for training and others for using incombination with a treadmill.

Embodiments of a gait regulating component can include a base configuredto mount to a supporting structure that is disposed in fixed relation toa floor or a treadmill conveyor; and a rod extending between a first endand a second end, the first end of the rod configured to couple to thebase; where the rod includes a bendable portion such that the second endof the rod is movable relative to the base; and where each of the two ormore gait regulating components is configured such that the rod issubstantially parallel the floor when the base is mounted to thesupporting structure.

Embodiments of a training system can include a rail or post and one ormore gait regulating components comprising a base configured to mount tothe rail or post and a rod coupled to the base. The rail can besupported by one or more rail supports so that the rail is disposedabove but spaced apart from but substantially parallel with the walkingsurface. The post can be supported by a base so that it extends uprightrelative to the walking surface.

Embodiments can include methods of improving a posture or a gait of auser by using the systems described herein. A method can comprisewalking and encountering with each step a gait regulating component,where the gait regulating component comprises a bar that extends in adirection substantially parallel to the floor.

Some embodiments can comprise modular components that can be assembledto define straight, curved, or angled paths. The modular components canalso facilitate compact storage of the device.

Some embodiments can be adjusted based upon the size (height or width)of the user or the length of a step for the user.

Some embodiments are methods of using the device for physicalrehabilitation. Some embodiments are methods of using the device forposture and/or gait improvement.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarilydirectly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosureexplicitly requires otherwise.

The term “substantially” is defined as being largely but not necessarilywholly what is specified (and include wholly what is specified) asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosedembodiment, the term “substantially” may be substituted with “within [apercentage] of” what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1,5, and 10 percent.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, the methodsand systems of the present invention that “comprises,” “has,” “includes”or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a method or system of the present invention that“comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more featurespossesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessingonly those one or more features.

Furthermore, a structure that is capable performing a function or thatis configured in a certain way is capable or configured in at least thatway, but may also be capable or configured in ways that are not listed.Metric units may be derived from the English units provided by applyinga conversion and rounding to the nearest millimeter.

The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to otherembodiments, even though not described or illustrated, unless expresslyprohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments.

Any method or system of the present invention can consist of or consistessentially of—rather than comprise/include/contain/have-any of thedescribed elements and/or features and/or steps. Thus, in any of theclaims, the term “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of’ can besubstituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, inorder to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwisebe using the open-ended linking verb.

Details associated with the embodiments described above and others arepresented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will be pointed out in thefollowing description of a preferred, but not exclusive, implementation,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the top view of a first implementation of a devicefor training people to a preferred posture during the normal gait;

FIG. 2A illustrates an enlarged view in perspective of the detail A ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2B illustrates an enlarged exploded perspective of the detail B ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the bars that are part of thesystem;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view according to a different perspectiveof part of the detail C of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view according to a different perspectiveof part of the detail D of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the element indicated with X in FIG.2A;

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of detail E of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a branch of the systemaccording to FIG. 1 disposed in the inoperative position of non-use;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of gait implemented by a person withthe use of the system according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a second implementation of thesystem to train people to a preferred gait;

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of the system according to FIG. 10; and

FIG. 11A illustrates a schematic gait that person adopts with the use ofthe system in FIG. 10 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various features and advantageous details are explained more fully withreference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Itshould be understood, however, that the detailed description and thespecific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Varioussubstitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from thisdisclosure.

In the following description, numerous specific details are provided toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. One ofordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize, however, that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details,or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In otherinstances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shownor described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a system used in traininga person to modify their posture or gait. The system can comprise one ormore gait regulating components. Each gait regulating component includesa base configured to mount to a supporting structure that is disposed infixed relation to a floor or a treadmill conveyor; and a rod extendingbetween a first end and a second end, the first end of the rodconfigured to couple to the base; where the rod includes a bendableportion such that the second end of the rod is movable relative to thebase; and where each of the two or more gait regulating components isconfigured such that the rod is substantially parallel the floor whenthe base is mounted to the supporting structure. In some embodiments,substantially parallel can mean being within 20 degrees in any directionof a line that extends parallel to the walking surface. In someembodiments, substantially parallel can mean being within 10 degrees inany direction of a line that extends parallel to the walking surface.

In some embodiments, the supporting structure is a wall (the gaitcomponent mounted thereto), a rail configured to couple to the base ofthe gait regulating component and extend substantially parallel to thefloor, or a post configured to couple to the base of the gait regulatingcomponent and extend upright relative to the floor.

In embodiments comprising a rail, the rail can be supported by at leastone rail support configured to extend upright relative to the floor andto support the rail such that it is spaced apart from the floor. Therail support comprises a head portion opposite a base portion, where thehead portion is configured to couple to one or more rails. In someembodiments, each rail support comprises a ballasting member disposed inthe base portion and configured to stabilize the rail support while therail support is in an upright position relative to the floor.

In some embodiments, the head portion of the rail support is configuredto couple to two rails. For example, the head portion can be configuredto couple to a first rail and a second rail such that the first railextends along a first portion of a training path and the second railextends along a second portion of the training path.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to be easily collapsed tooccupy a smaller dimension for ease of transport and/or storage. Thiscollapsibility is facilitated by a plurality of hinges. In someembodiments, the head portion comprises a hinge configured such that thefirst rail is moveable relative to the second rail (see e.g., hinge 33of FIG. 5 ). This hinge can be configured such that the first rail canbe substantially parallel with the second rail. In some embodiments, thehead portion comprises another hinge configured such that the rail ismoveable relative to the base portion (see e.g., pin 23 of FIG. 4 andpin-receiving hole 13 form a hinge). This hinge can be configured suchthat the rail can be substantially parallel with the base portion. Insome embodiments, the gait regulating component comprises a hingeconfigured such that the second end of the bar is movable relative to atleast a portion of the base (e.g., components 510 and 53 of FIG. 2B forma hinge). This hinge can be configured such that the second end of thebar can be substantially parallel with the supporting structure. (Insome embodiments, substantially parallel can mean being within 20degrees in any direction of a line that extends parallel to thereferenced component. In some embodiments, substantially parallel canmean being within 10 degrees in any direction of a line that extendsparallel to the referenced component.)

In some embodiments, the base of each gait regulating component isreleasably coupled to the supporting structure.

In some embodiments, the gait regulating component is bendable so that aforce applied by the user does not deform the rod. For example, the rodcan comprise a flexible portion or a hinge so that the second end of therod is moveable relative to at least a portion of the base.

For example, with reference to the attached drawings and particularlyFIGS. 1-8 , system 9 comprising a rail and configured for trainingpeople to a preferred posture during the normal gait is shown. Thesystem 9 is defined by at least one branch 90 comprising: at least railsupport 1, configured to be placed on a walkable floor; at least onerail 4, for example defined by a section, whose heads are occluded bythe corresponding finishing plugs T, comprising a series of equallyspaced openings 49, along its extension (FIG. 3 ), with said rail 4configured to couple to the rail support 1; and gait regulatingcomponents 5 couple to said rail 4 such that they each extendsubstantially parallel to and above the walking surface, e.g., thefloor. The distance above the walking surface can be 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm,19 cm 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, or 25 cm. The distance abovethe walking surface will vary depending on the leg length of the user.

In an example of implementation, illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 6, 8 , eachrail support 1 comprises a head portion 11 coupled to a base portion 12,inside which is positioned a sinker (not shown); said rail support 1 isstabilized by a ballasting member M.

The base portion 12 has a slot, not shown, the opening of which fitsover the edge of the wall 130 which delimits a pin-receiving hole 13(FIG. 6 ); said wall 130 has two opposite first seats RI, which areadjacent to the sides of the body of the head portion 11, and a secondseat R2 provided on the lower part of said wall 130, whose plane ofsymmetry is perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the first seatsRI.

Head portion 11 comprises a support element 2 that is configured tocouple to the rail support 1 (FIG. 2A) via one of the openings 49provided along a rail 4, or, in case you need to join and support tworails 4 in succession, a two rail support element 3 comprising a hinge33 couple to two rails via one of said openings 49 provided at the endof a rail 4 and via one of said openings 49 provided at the end of anadditional rail 4.

The support element 2, an example of which is shown in FIG. 4 in anon-exclusive form of implementation, is defined by an anchoring tool20, configured to couple it with base portion 12, and by a firstcoupling tool 21, which is U-shaped and with a pin 210, on a continuumwith the anchoring tool 20 so that said first coupling tool 21 isaligned orthogonally to the edge of the anchoring tool 20; said firstcoupling tool 21 is designed to embrace and snap, in an elastic way, tothe rail 4 in such a way that the first plug 210 is inserted into anopening 49 provided in said rail 4 to stabilize the anchoring of thelatter to the support element 2.

The anchoring tool 20 is defined, (see example in FIG. 4 ), by a pin 23that is configured to frictionally and rotatably engage pin-receivinghole 13 in the base portion 12. The anchoring tool 20 further comprisesa catch 23 which extends transverse to the axis of the pin and isconfigured to frictionally engage one of the seats RI, R2. The anchoringtool 20 further comprises plate 25 to cover the pin-receiving hole 13.The pin 23 and pin-receiving hole 13 form a hinge such that the supportelement 2, 3 can rotate relative to the base portion.

The two rail support element 3, see example shown in FIG. 5 , in anon-exclusive form of implementation, is defined by: a first part 31,equal to the conformation of the support element 2, and therefore thesame numerical references are used, designed to couple to base portion12 and to which can be coupled a rail 4; a second part 32, affected by ahinge 33 that conforms to a first portion 34 integral with the firstpart 31, and a second portion 35 supporting a second coupling U-shapedtool 36 that is centrally coupled by a second plug 360, with said secondengagement tool 36 designed to embrace and snap elastically to anadditional rail 4 in such a way that the second plug 360 is insertedinto an opening 49 provided in said additional rail 4 to stabilize thecoupling of the latter to the two rail support 3.

Each gait regulating component 5 (FIG. 2B) comprises a base (e.g.,components 51, 53, 510, and 54 form the base) and a rod 55. The base isconfigured to mount the rod 55 to the rail 4. The base comprises aU-shaped slider 51 configured to couple via a snap joint to rail 4; ahinge comprising a hooking element 53 and berth bridge 510, and aprominence 54 disposed opposite hooking element 53. The hooking element53 is configured to rotatably couple to the berth bridge 510. And therod 55 is coupled to the base through a resilient connection 56 to theprominence 54.

The above-described system provides for the assembly of the parts thatto define at least one branch 90 in which the rail supports 1 contact afloor surface on which one can walk, to support at least one rail 4parallel to said floor area, with said rail 4 supporting the gaitregulating components 5 placed at a distance S1 from each other, withthis distance proportional to the magnitude of the step that a userneeds or wants, when using the system 9.

In some embodiments, the system 9, as shown in FIG. 1 , can be used todefine a training path by spacing two branches 90 apart a distance “Z”,which is not less than the length of the gait regulating component 5such that these are arranged parallel to the floor surface to form arectilinear path in which the gait regulating components 5 provided oneach branch 90 are anchored to the corresponding rail 4 at a distance S2which is equal to twice the distance S1, in such a way that, followingthe arrangement of the two branches to identify said path, the gaitregulating components 5 face each other on opposite side in alternativefashion at a distance S1 from each other. In other embodiments, twobranches are disposed end to end to define a training path, and the gaitregulating component 5 on each branch 90 are spaced apart SI, e.g., thelength of a desired step (also referred to as desired stride length).

The use of the system 9, as shown schematically in FIG. 9 , requires theuser to walk along the path identified by the branches 90; in one of theuses of the system, the user lying in front of each of the gaitregulating components 5 must thread the “advancing” foot at the bottomof the gait regulating components 5, by forcing the user to apredetermined movement of the foot, knee, and hip, thus facilitating themaintenance of the upright in a position of equilibrium, namely thevertical line that passes through the center of gravity (‘baricenter’)falling within the base of support, with the consequent lengthening ofthe rear leg, the gradual shift of the body weight of the user from thesupport foot posterior to that of the advancing foot and the forwardoscillation of the arm opposite to the moving lower limb.

Furthermore, the gait regulating component 5 that each foot meets duringthe walk forces default movements also of the rear leg. In fact,throughout the evolution of the step, once the user's body weight hasfully loaded on the “advancing” foot tucked under the gait regulatingcomponent 5, the rear leg is retrieved and, once this encounters thegait regulating component 5, this causes the foot to go over the gaitregulating component 5 with concurrent lifting of the knee, in such away as to induce a predefined stride length.

In a second implementation illustrated in FIG. 10 , the system 900comprising a post 40 and configured to teach people to reach a preferredposture during a normal gait is shown. System 900 comprises a base 100which is placed over the floor area, a post 40 configured to extendupright relative to the base, and a gait regulating component 5 asdescribed for the first implementation of the device. The base 100 isconfigured to stabilize the upright post. In the embodiment shown, thebase 100 comprises a body comprising a suction cup element 101 forstabilizing the base at one end, a sleeve 103 in which it engages andstabilizes a post 40 configured to extend upright relative to thewalking surface, whose upper end is occluded by a finishing T-plug, andto which is coupled. A slideable pin 104 can extend through a hole inthe base of the post 40 to releasably secure the post relative to thesleeve 103.

The system 900 may be placed at the sides of a treadmill R, as shown inFIG. 11 , with the gait regulating component 5 coupled to a post 40which is supported by base 100. The post 40 is configured so that thegait regulating component 5 can be adjusted to be directly above thefootboard/conveyor of the same treadmill R. The gait regulatingcomponent 5 serves as an obstacle to the user for training apredetermined posture. The distance above the treadmill footboard can be5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm,16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, or 25 cm.The distance above the walking surface will vary depending on the leglength of the user.

The treadmill allows the user to walk in place thanks to the fact thatthe footboard flows in the direction “Q” contrary to the motion of theuser.

The presence of the system on one or both sides of the treadmill inducesa default movement of the user. In fact, in one of its uses, the userhimself must thread the “advancing” foot below the corresponding gaitregulating component 5 forcing the user, as described above, to keephis/her trunk upright in a position of equilibrium, ensuring that thevertical line that passes through the center of gravity (baricenter)falls within the base of support, with the consequent lengthening of therear leg, the gradual shift of the body weight of the user from thesupport foot posterior to that of the advancing foot, the forwardoscillation of the arm opposite to the moving lower limb, the consequentlifting of the foot and knee to allow the advancement of the rear leg toenable the positioning of the corresponding foot below the gaitregulating component 5 (FIG. 11A).

It should be noted that the positioning of the system 900 with respectto the treadmill can be adjusted before the start of that activityaccording to the training needs of the user.

This positioning can result in the scaling of the gait regulatingcomponent 5 through a series of movements of the advancing foot and therear leg as described above following the use of the system 9.

The system 9, 900, described in the first and second types ofimplementation, has characteristics that are particularly beneficial.

The availability of the gait regulating components 5, coupled to a rail4 at a default location, or to a post 40 supported by a base 100positioned next to a treadmill R, forces the user to perform predefinedmovements. In fact, the attention will be directed to place the footunder a gait regulating component 5, to maintain the attitude of thebody of user in perfect balance (straight torso, elongated rear leg, sothat the vertical line passing through the center of gravity fallswithin the base of support) immediately retrieving the rear leg thatwill now be constrained to move in a direction indicated by the nextgait regulating component 5.

This implies, therefore, a relaxed neck posture, straight shoulders andhorizontal alignment of the pelvis, so as to achieve an improvedalignment between the imaginary axes passing through these points of thebody.

Such movement avoids the sudden loading of the body weight on the heel,thus ensuring a gradual transition of the user's bodyweight from thesupporting foot posterior to the advancing foot, and resulting in anice, smooth, and regular gait without vertical oscillations, andpreventing incorrect posture like hunched back or torso leaning forward.

The use of the system 9, 900, enables the retrieval and memorization ofthe gait, with the establishment of an upright posture and stability ofthe body core, the active and proper use of the back and abdomen musclesfollowing the forced movement of the ankle, knee, and hip resulting fromthe position of the foot relative to the gait regulating component 5.

The particular configuration of the system 9 described in the first typeof implementation has also several advantages with regard to theassembly, because the rail support 1 is shaped so as to be able tointernally accommodate a ballasting member which facilitates stabilizingthe rail support 1 when in an upright position relative to thesupport/walkable surface (e.g., floor).

The configuration of the parts of the system 9 allow the same to beeasily assembled both to realize the branch 90 of the same system forremoving or replacing a part of the same branch 90.

The system 9, in fact, for the parts described in the non-exclusiveexample described here, can be configured in an inoperative position ofminimum overall dimensions (FIG. 8 ) wherein: each base portion 12 isoriented parallel to the corresponding rail 4; the second portion 35 ofthe connecting element and the two rail support 3 are rotated in such away that the second coupling tool 36 is positioned alongside the firstcoupling tool 21 and, therefore, the further next rail 4 supported bythe same is arranged to flank the previous rail 4; each slider 51 isappropriately oriented on the rail 4 to which it is anchored in such away that the rod 55 of the gait regulating component 5 runs parallel tothe rail 4: this position is maintained by a coupling 8 (FIG. 7 )configured to elastically embrace each of the two adjacent bars andholds them in fixed relation to each other in the vicinity of thecoupling 8.

The branch 90, once in the position of minimum overall dimensions, canbe placed into a container and be easily transportable.

For example, by having a two rail support 3 as described above allows toprovide a system with a variable length and/or that defines anon-rectilinear path; the second portion 35 of said two rail support 3,in fact, can undergo different orientations, thus defining an angledtraining path with angularly disposed branches 90.

The configuration of the gait regulating component 5 also presentsseveral advantages because the slider 51 allows easy anchoring of thesame gait regulating component 5 to the rail 4, and the possibility toadjust the position of the latter along the rail 4 according to thelength of the step which the user wants to perform during use of thesystem 9.

In the first type of implementation, it is possible to vary the distancebetween a gait regulating component 5 and the other to adjust the lengthof the step, while in the second type of implementation it is possibleto vary the height of the gait regulating component 5 along the post 40to adjust the distance between the gait regulating component 5 and thecarpet of the treadmill: a small distance between the gait regulatingcomponent 5 and the carpet implies greater control of the movement ofthe foot and body posture, which is possible by making a smaller stepand vice versa.

The fact that the rod 55 is connected to the extension of the protrusion54 of the second coupling element 53 through a resilient connection 56is advantageous because, if bumped by the user, said rod 55 yieldselastically to follow the direction of the gait of the user to return toits original position. In other embodiments, a hinge (not shown) may beused so that the rod 55 yields to follow the direction of the gait ofthe user. The hinged connection may further comprise a spring configuredso that the rod 55 can return to the original position once thedeflecting force is removed.

The system 900 of the second type of implementation can also be usedwithout being combined with a treadmill, i.e., it is possible to put apredetermined number of post and gait regulating components alternatingalong a linear or curved path depending on the type of desired path.

It is noted that the system 9, 900 can be used both to store a series ofmovements of the parts of the body to a default posture during gait,both in terms of activity of post-traumatic and/or post-operativerecovery, to restore the dynamic equilibrium of gait with significantincrease and control of muscle tone and posture, as well as for theimplementation of special training programs of “elegant” gait thatinvolves the use of high-heeled shoes.

It is noted that the base portion 12 or base 100, can be implemented invarious ways that do not affect the functional efficiency of the system9, 900, but such as to ensure the stability of the system.

The structure of the systems 9, 900 can include special support elementsand connective elements that enable easy assembly and storage of thesystems.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description ofthe structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certainembodiments have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of thisinvention. As such, the illustrative embodiment of the present trainingsystems and method is not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternativesfalling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than theone shown may include some or all of the features of the depictedembodiment. For example, components may be combined as a unitarystructure and/or connections may be substituted. Further, whereappropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may becombined with aspects of any of the other examples described to formfurther examples having comparable or different properties andaddressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will beunderstood that the benefits and advantages described above may relateto one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

The claims are not to be interpreted as including means-plus- orstep-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitlyrecited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,”respectively.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of improving a posture or a gaitcomprising: walking and encountering with each of a plurality of steps agait regulating component and includes walking on a treadmill and whereat least on gait regulating component is disposed above a conveyor ofthe treadmill, wherein the gait regulating component comprises a firstrail hingedly coupled to a second rail, the first rail and the secondrail being positioned spaced from a floor, the first rail supporting afirst bendable rod that extends in a direction substantially parallelrelative to the floor, wherein the first bendable rod includes a firstportion coupled to the first rail and a free end that is deflectable,and wherein walking and encountering each of the plurality of steps ofthe gait regulating component includes positioning an advancing footbelow the gait regulating component, and wherein positioning theadvancing foot below the gait regulating component includes maintainingan attitude of a body of a user in balance including a straight torso,an elongated rear leg, so that a vertical line passing through a centerof gravity is positioned within a base of support.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, where walking comprises walking along a training path, where aplurality of gait regulating components are evenly spaced along thetraining path.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning theadvancing foot below the gait regulating component includes maintaininga trunk upright in a position of equilibrium.
 4. A training methodcomprising: adjusting a relative position of a first rail relative to asecond rail of a first base of a first gait regulating component, thefirst base including a rail support configured to extend uprightrelative to a floor, the rail support including a head portionconfigured to couple the first rail and the second rail such that thesecond rail extends along a second training path, wherein the headportion includes a hinge, the first rail being hingedly coupled to thesecond rail via the hinge of the head portion of the first base;securing the first base of the first gait regulating component in afixed position relative to the floor of an environment on one side of atraining path such that a first rail support of the first base extendssubstantially upright relative to the floor, wherein the training pathis defined by a treadmill and wherein, when a user interacts with thefirst gait regulating component, the user positions an advancing footbelow the first gait regulating component and maintains a trunk uprightin a position of equilibrium.
 5. The training method of claim 4, whereinthe first bendable rod is one of a first plurality of bendable rods, themethod further comprising supporting the first plurality of bendablerods from the first rail such that the first plurality of bendable rodsare each positioned substantially parallel relative to the floor, thefirst plurality of bendable rods each being deflectable relative to thefirst base.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the bendable rods from thesecond rail are longitudinally staggered relative to the first pluralityof bendable rods supported by the first rail.
 7. The training method ofclaim 4, further comprising supporting one or more bendable rods fromthe second rail such that one or more bendable rods supported from thesecond rail are deflectable relative to the first base.
 8. The trainingmethod of claim 4, further comprising adjusting a position of the firstrod along a length of the first rail.
 9. The training method of claim 4,further comprising: adjusting a relative position of a third railrelative to a fourth rail of a second gait regulating component, thethird rail being hingedly coupled to the fourth rail; securing a secondbase of the second gait regulating component in a fixed positionrelative to the floor of the environment on an opposite side of thetraining path as the first gait regulating component such that a secondrail support of the second base extends substantially upright relativeto the floor; supporting the third rail at a spaced position from thefloor with a second head portion of the second rail support and thefourth rail at a spaced position from the floor with the second headportion; and supporting a second bendable rod from the second base suchthat the second rod is positioned substantially parallel relative to thefloor and a free end of the second rod is deflectable relative to thebase.
 10. The training method of claim 9, wherein the second bendablerod is one of a second plurality of bendable rods, the method furthercomprising supporting the second plurality of bendable rods from thethird rail such that the second plurality of bendable rods are eachpositioned substantially parallel relative to the floor, the secondplurality of bendable rods each being deflectable relative to the secondbase.
 11. The training method of claim 10, wherein the first pluralityof bendable rods are each positioned opposite a corresponding one of thesecond plurality of bendable rods such that the first and secondpluralities of bendable rods are substantially aligned end-to-end withone another.
 12. The training method of claim 10, wherein the firstplurality of bendable rods are positioned opposite the second pluralityof bendable rods such that the first and second pluralities of bendablerods are offset end-to-end from one another.
 13. The training method ofclaim 4, wherein the first rail support is one of a first plurality ofrail supports, the method further comprising extending each of the firstplurality of rail supports substantially upright relative to the floor.14. The training method of claim 13, further comprising supporting thefirst rail at the spaced position from the floor with the firstplurality of rail supports.
 15. The training method of claim 13, furthercomprising supporting the second rail at the spaced position from thefloor with the first plurality of rail supports.
 16. The training methodof claim 13, further comprising threading an advancing foot below thefirst bendable rod in order to maintain his/her trunk upright in aposition of equilibrium.
 17. The method of claim 4, wherein the free endof the first bendable rod is spaced from the second rail.
 18. The methodof claim 4, wherein the free end of the first bendable end is free fromthe second rail.
 19. A method of instructing a user on use of one ormore gait regulating components, the method including providing the userwith instructions for use including: adjusting a relative position of afirst rail relative to a second rail of a first base of a first gaitregulating component, the first rail being hingedly coupled to thesecond rail; securing the first base of the first gait regulatingcomponent in a fixed position relative to a floor of an environment onone side of a training path such that a first rail support of the firstbase extends substantially upright relative to the floor; supporting thefirst rail of the first base at a spaced position from the floor with afirst head portion of the first rail support and the second rail at aspaced position from the floor with the first head portion of the firstrail support, wherein the first head portion includes a hinge such thatthe first rail is moveable relative to the first base; and supporting afirst bendable rod from the first rail such that the first bendable rodis positioned substantially parallel relative to the floor, the firstbendable rod including a bendable portion such that a free end of thefirst rod is deflectable relative to the first base.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the instructions for use further include the trainingpath being defined by a treadmill.
 21. The method of claim 19, whereinthe first bendable rod is one of a first plurality of bendable rods, andthe instructions for use further include supporting the first pluralityof bendable rods from the first rail such that the first plurality ofbendable rods are each positioned substantially parallel relative to thefloor.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the instructions for usefurther include supporting one or more bendable rods from the secondrail.